Sock applying device



Jan. 5, 1960 M, HQAGLAND 2,919,840

SOCK APPLYING DEVICE Filed April 2, 1958 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 I7 I70 INVENTOR.

' /|5 |5 LAWRENCE M. HOAGLAND ATTORNEY Unimd a e tent SOCK APPLYING DEVICE Lawrence M. Hoagland, Toledo, Ohio Application April 2, 1958, Serial No. 726,007

1 Claim. (Cl. 223-111) This invention relates to a device for enabling handicapped persons who are unable to bend sufficiently to reach their feet with their hands, to apply their socks without assistance from others, and an object is to produce a simple and eflicient device of this character having the new and improved features of construction, arrangement and operation hereinafter described.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will hereinafter appear and for purposes of illustration but not of limitation, an embodiment of the invention is shown on the accompanying drawings in which Figure l is a front perspective of the lower portion of the sock applying device showing the same applied to a sock;

Figure 2 is a plan view of the sock applying device;

Figure 3 is a longitudinal sectional view substantially on the line 3-3 of Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a view substantially on the line 4-4 of Figure 2;

Figure 5 is an enlarged fragmentary view substantially on the line 55 of Figure 2 with the clamping slide removed;

Figure 6 is an enlarged sectional View substantially on the line 66 of Figure 4; and

Figure 7 is an enlarged fragmentary view of the clamping end of the device showing the manner in which it clamps to the mouth portion of the sock.

The illustrated embodiment of the invention comprises a sock applying device for handicapped persons and as shown it has two laterally spaced members which are identical in construction so that a detailed description of one is deemed sufficient. As shown, there is an elongate handle 10 which is made up of sections a and b which are hingedly connected centrally by a hinge 12. The hinge enables the two sections to be folded upon each other to compact the device for traveling or storage purposes. In order to hold the sections a and b of the handle in position of use, a lock member 13 is provided which consists of a pivoted latch having a slotted end portion to slip over a pin as will be readily understood. At the outer end of the handle section a is an enlarged grip portion 11 and at the lower or outer end of the handle section b is a sock clamping device hereinafter described.

As shown, an inwardly curved metallic hook member 14 is disposed on the inside of the handle section b and projects slightly beyond the end of such section. The hook member 14 is in a rabbeted portion of the handle section so that the portion abutting such section is flush with a handle section and is secured in place by screws. On the opposite side of handle section b is an elongate flat metal plate 16 which has an elongate integral flange at one side overlapping the adjacent edge portion of the handle section b. The plate 16 is secured in position by screws 17 at opposite ends.

On the side opposite to the plate 16 and for cooperation with the hook 14 is a clamping slide 18 which also has an integral flange overlapping one edge of the handle section b, such flange being indicated by the reference number 19.

which is attached to a stationary anchor pin 22 secured to the handle section.

To guide and limit the sliding movement of the clamping slide 18, an elongate slot 23 is disposed in the lower end portion and disposed within this slot is a screw 24 which is secured to the handle section b. At the upper end portion of the clamping slide 18 is another elongate slot 25 into which a stationary pin 26 extends.

It will be understood that the lower end of the clamping slide 18 cooperates with the hook element 14 for clamping a portion of the sock therebetween. In practice the slide is first retracted and then a portion of the mouth of the sock is disposed in place and the clamping slide is released to effect the clamping action, the coil spring 21 urging the slide to its clamping position. In order to hold the slide away from clamping position and also hold the spring 21 in its tensioned position, a pivoted catch 27 is disposed in a slot 27a in the handle section b. This catch is pivoted centrally and on one side there is a latching nose 28. The latching nose 28 is adapted to project through the elongate slot 23 and by engaging the upper end thereof (Figure 3) it will be understood that the clamping slide 18 is held in its re tracted or cocked position. The latching nose 28 is maintained in the elongate slot 23 to retain the slide 18 in the cocked or retracted position by the friction between the engaging surfaces of the nose 28 and the slot 23; and also by virtue of the fact that the downward force of the slide 18 on the slightly upwardly inclined surface of the nose 28 results in a slight outward force on the pivoted catch 27. In certain embodiments of the invention, it may be found desirable to employ a spring means to urge the nose 28 through the slot 23 when the slide is retracted. On the opposite side of the pivoted catch 27 is a finger piece 29 which projects through a slot in the plate 16 on the opposite side of the handle sectitm b. By flipping the finger piece, the latching nose 28: is moved away from the clamping slide 18 to enable th latter to snap abruptly forward under the influence of the coil spring 21. In this manner the sock may be clamped in place. In order to prevent tearing of the: sock, a strip of leather, fabric or other suitable material; 15 is secured at one end by the lower screw 17 and then: extends over the hook and is secured by suitable screws 17a to the opposite side of the handle section and in such manner as to be flush with the adjacent surface of the handle section so as not to interfere with the sliding action of the clamping slide 18.

In this instance a chain is connected to the outer end of the screw 20 and extends to a point near the handle grip 11 and in this instance is connected to a pin 31.

The two sock engaging devices are connected together and spaced from each other by a rigid link member 32 which is somewhat U-shaped in form, the ends of the U pivotally engaging brackets 33 on the inner sides of the respective handle sections 12.

From the above it will be understood that in practice;

ing a portion of opposite sides of the sock in the re-.

spective hook portions and then rocking the finger pieces Then the per.

'29 so that the sock is clamped in place. son by grasping the two hand grips 11 may position the sock properly so that the foot can be inserted. The

link connection between the two members is important.

in that it enables the sock to be applied more readily and enables one side to be pulled a little more than the other. This is found to be of considerable importance in practice. After the sock is applied, the clamping slides are released by pulling on the chains 3%} sufiiciently so that the latching noses 23 engage the slides and hold them is. the retracted position.

Numerous changes in details of construction, arrangement, operation and choice of materials may be effected without departing from the spirit of the invention, especially as defined in the appended claim.

What I claim is:

A device for drawing on socks or the like comprising a pair of laterally spaced elongate handle members, an intermediate pivoted link connection between said bers to provide for relative longitudinal movement of said handle members, a sock engaging clamp on one end portion of each of said handle members, thereby to clamp opposite sides of the sock for holding the same open to receive a foot, and means near the opposite end of the handle members for releasing the clamps respectively and freeing the sock therefrom, said clamps each having an inwardly curved hook fixedly secured to said one end portion of said handle member and slidable means mounted on said one end portion adjacent said hook and adapted for longitudinal movement along the axis of said handle member, and spring means normally biasing said slidable means into engagement with said hook to abut against said hook to apply clamping pressure thereagainst.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 9l6,508 Vietor Mar. 30, 1909 954,061 Von Taxis Apr. 5, 1910 1,315,096 Deiley Sept. 2, 1919 

